Answer: I will have to answer this question in assumption, something I rarely do, because we often waste precious time when we speculate about things we don't know. To know every "why" and "how" would make us God. Remember, "the secret things belong unto Jehovah our God; but the things that are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law." (Deuteronomy 29:29, American Standard Version)

If Jehovah God Almighty had stopped Adam and Eve from taking the fruit and eating it, everything would be fine and there would not be any sin or suffering, right? Perhaps, perhaps not.

Let us imagine that we are in a similar situation. Let us pretend that you are my boss, and you entrusted me to the work at your own office. You need highly loyal people to work there; after all, it's your office! You specifically ordered me not to open a secret door in your office. You warned that if I opened the door, you would kick me out.

When you stepped out for a moment, I went to that secret door. I was just turning the knob when you came in and immediately stopped me. The door was not open, so technically, I didn't break your command since you stopped me in time. But is there any difference between almost breaking your order and breaking your order? Even when you prevented me from opening that door, can you trust me again?

God had made a perfect Earth that needed care from perfect people. When Adam and Eve disobeyed an order that should have been easy to follow, they proved that the planet could not be entrusted to their care. If they could not be trusted over a small thing, how could they be trusted with big things?

Therefore, Adam and Eve were punished for their disobedience: they died. How could eating a fruit earn such a heavy punishment? Some feel that Adam and Eve received a punishment that was way out of proportion to their sin. Was their punishment really too harsh?

No, what they got was justified. God did not punish them for eating the fruit; He punished them because they deliberately did not follow His simple command. No matter what the rule was, it was a rule, and a rule should be adhered to, most especially when it comes from God.

We need to keep in mind that God specifically told Adam and Eve that they would certainly die if they disobeyed Him. To not punish them the way He warned would make Him a liar. God promises both blessings and curses; He always keeps His word according to what He promises. Enforcing promised disciplines is how He can get His messages and orders taken seriously.

Keep in mind that Adam and Eve broke the only one rule God made. Even if God prevented them breaking that rule, would it mean they wouldn't break any future rules? If God had to prevent people breaking His rules every time, how could He ever trust us? How could we ever be trusted?

Jehovah wants people of faith, of loyalty, of trustworthiness. We need to prove to Him that we can be trusted, on our own. He only wants trust, and I believe that's one of the reasons why He made that fruit rule in the first place. Adam and Eve failed that rule, proving that they could not be trusted.

Since the beginning of human existence until now, Jehovah has been seeking trust from us. Will we finally give it to Him?

I "almost" opened the secret door in your office. Can you trust me anymore? Go ahead, kick me out. I won't blame you if you do.

(Do you have questions about the Bible? Something you don't understand? Do you need a bit of guidance in developing a relationship with Jehovah? Then Shirley would like to help you! Please contact her via her site at http://www.shirleycheng.com and she would be more than glad to do her best to answer your questions! Never hesitate to ask questions, for no question about the Bible is ever too small or stupid.)

(Question submitted by Bill Christy, who was born in Washington State and after Army in mid 1970's, moved to Florida, and has been there ever since. He is in his mid 50's, reformed (this is a daily thing) addict, born again Christian type, white male. Socially more liberal, fiscally more conservative. Hate the sin; love the sinner; that is a good working goal for each of us. Separated, 4 kids and 12 grandkids.)

Author's Bio:

Shirley Cheng (b. 1983), a blind and physically disabled award-winning author (with 21 book awards, including nine Parent to Parent Adding Wisdom Awards), motivational speaker, self-empowerment expert, poet, author of nine books (including "Do You Love Jehovah? God Almighty's Infinite Love & Wisdom to Propel You to Greatness"), contributor to nineteen, and a parental rights advocate, has had severe juvenile rheumatoid arthritis since infancy. Owing to years of hospitalization, she received no education until age eleven. Back then, she knew only her ABCs and very simple English; other than that, her book knowledge was non-existent. However, after only about 180 days of special education in elementary school, she mastered grade level in all areas and entered a regular sixth grade class in middle school. Unfortunately, Shirley lost her eyesight at the age of seventeen. After a successful eye surgery, she hopes to earn multiple science doctorates from Harvard University. Visit http://www.shirleycheng.com for more inspiration.

Valerie Hinton

If you read the entirety of Genesis 8:21 Jehovah is promising that even though man-kind is imperfect he will never again flood the earth as he had done. Remember at the time of Noah the ten commandments where not yet in place, and the provision for man kind to be freed from death had not yet taken place. Romans 13 states: (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law.) Again I still feel that without knowing pain, suffering, and hurt one can not really appreciate what salvation really means.

You wrote "I still feel that without knowing pain, suffering, and hurt one can not really appreciate what salvation really means." That may be true for some, but it's not necessary to experience the bad to truly appreciate the good. Jehovah doesn't suffer physical pain; He is 100% glorious. So He has no imperfection. Even still, He still fully delights in who He is and all He has and does. He is a very happy God who doesn't need to experience our disobedience in order to appreciate sinlessness. But then, of course, we aren't God. :)

So essentially we as a human race are being punished for the sins of our fathers.....a.k.a Adam. I don't buy it. That would be like my daughter going to jail because I broke the law. 1+1 does not equal three. What if eating the fruit was part of the plan all along. The way I see it they could have stayed in the garden forever in their perfected state, but without knowing grief and pain how could they ever fully understand joy. I for one did not give birth to my children with the intention of 'testing' their loyalty and trust. The thing is as a parent your love is unconditional, and Jehovah is our Heavenly Father.... he is perfect how possibly could his love is be conditional. It just does not add up.